Haute Savoie / France
The resort of Les Gets shares a large network of ski slopes with Morzine, and offers great access to them. The main Portes du Soleil circuit is easily reached by driving to the Ardent gondola, or from the Pleney lift in Morzine, which also offers easy access to Avoriaz.
There are Nordic skiing trails, a beginners area, a Wild West zone for children and plenty of mountain restaurants. The local Les Gets-Morzine ski pass offers access to 120 km of pistes and 48 lifts, but if you want to explore a bit further afield, you might be better going for the Portes du Soleil ski pass, which allows you to explore 12 interconnected ski resorts in France and Switzerland.
There’s an ESF ski school at Les Gets, and you can ski straight from the village to the higher peaks, or stay close to town on some of the lower runs. To help you get around town in your ski boots, take the Little Train: it takes you from Mont-Chéry to Les Chavannes for free every day.
You can also try a whole host of other winter sports when on holiday in Les Gets also half-term, including snow-shoeing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, husky dog sledding, ski joering and even ice diving! You’ll never be bored! And with a Geneva airport transfer in under an hour, you'll get to maximise fun time in Les Gets.
More info about the Les Gets ski area
When you stay at an OVO Network property in Les Gets in the summer, you can try your hand at everything from canyoning and paragliding to tennis, fishing and watersports. In a great location close to Morzine, this Alpine village offers a spectacular setting to try a whole host of sports. Take to the trails on your mountain bike or on foot, play golf on the 18-hole course with views of Mont Blanc, plus enjoy tennis, table tennis, bowling, archery or petanque. For plenty of thrills, try white-water rafting or hydrospeed, or head to the Adventure Parc, which offers more than 86 games across seven courses. Swing through the trees and try the Tarzan leap, the double Tyrolian and more. For a more leisurely pace, take a dip in the lake with its grass beach. You can even organise swimming lessons for your children if you choose. There’s also yoga, some fabulous spas, a cinema and Pere Delavay’s Botanical Garden.
If you’re heading to Les Gets in the summer, take advantage of the Portes du Soleil Multi Pass. Offering unrestricted access to the full range of family fun for activity holidays — ski lifts for walkers, lakeside facilities, 850km of hiking trails, tennis, cultural sites, tourist trains, ice rinks and a shuttle service between resorts — the pass is offered at an exclusive rate of €2.50 at many OVO Network chalets in the French Alps, including our apartments in Les Gets right through to our Morzine luxury chalets (many with outdoor hot tub).
Via ferrata: If you’ve ever fancied climbing a mountain but are a bit nervous then via ferrata could be for you. It’s a mountain adventure for all the family. Put on your harness and get attached to the metal cables to guide you up. Equipment and advice is provided so you’re in good hands. If you're still not sure, you can book a via ferrata excursion with one of the local mountaineers through one of the Les Gets ski schools.
On your bike: The biggest MTB playground in Europe, the Les Gets Bike Park offers 128km of slopes, ensuring there’s something for beginners and more experienced mountain bikers! Open from mid-June to early September, prices start at €7 for a one-way lift pass (€5 for a child) with discounts for families or multiple trips. If you are under 5 or over 75, it’s free — but you’ll need ID!
Lake Montriond: This beautiful lake just outside Morzine is a great place for a gentle walk or cycle in summer. In winter, there’s a cross-country ski track around the water. There’s an area for swimming, or you can hire a canoe and explore a bit further. You can dine at one of the restaurants around the lake, or if you decide to bring a picnic, there and plenty of benches. Take water shoes if you plan to go into the lake itself as it can be a little rocky.
Mechanical Music Museum: Discover the fascinating world of mechanical music at this museum in the Rue du Vieux Village in Les Gets. The guided tour is in French, but it’s worth doing as your guide will demonstrate many of the fairground organs and machines, and there’s written information in English. The museum is closed in November and December` until Christmas Eve. Entry to both buildings costs €12.50 for adults, €8.50 for children, or you can visit each building separately. A great activity for a rainy day!
Play a round: The 18-hole Les Gets Golf Club on the Crêtes des Chavannes ridge offers stunning views of Mont Blanc. The ups and downs of the mountain course add to the challenge, but there are plenty of electric trolleys for hire! Green fees vary according to the season. Pay just €30 for an evening game at the beginning or end of the season, or up to €61 in high season (discounts for multiple games). The course is open from early June to early October. Check the website for more details.
Salute the sun: If yoga is your thing, where better to practice it than in the mountains? There are plenty of classes to choose from, but for the ultimate yoga experience, book a private class out in nature - the mountain air and the stunning scenery are sure you enhance your poses, as well as your photos! Alternatively, book a teacher to come to your chalet, and salute the sun from your own terrace.
Make your escape: Test your ingenuity at Le Room, an escape room in the heart of Morzine. You and your team have an hour to crack the codes and solve the puzzles. Find it at 19 Place de Buraty, opposite the tourist office. Choose from two rooms - Survival for up to eight players, or the Villain’s Lair, for teams of up to six. Make sure you book ahead - it’s a popular choice, especially when the weather is bad!
A magical night walk: The Lumina nightwalk will take you on a magical journey through the mountains and beyond, led by a travelling music-maker and his hot air balloon! This enchanting sound and light show is available all year round, and is sure to appeal to families as well as adults. The walk is 1km long and takes about 45 minutes - make sure you book online as no tickets are available on site.
Get your skates on: During the winter months, head for the ice rink, set close to the centre of Les Gets. Great for kids and adults, you can also hire toboggans or have an ice party! Check opening times before you go.
Waterpark fun: In the summer, a visit to the Parc Aquatique Wibit is sure to be popular with all the family (children must be 6 or over). Head to the Lac des Ecoles in Les Gets, where you can enjoy an inflatable obstacle course, a giant waterslide and a climbing wall. Participants will all be given a buoyancy vest. There are picnic benches and a shallow beach area where you can cool off if you’re not taking part. It costs €10 for a 45-minute session at the waterpark and a day at the lake. Discounts are available for groups and for multi-pass holders.
Spot goats at Les Lindarets: Whatever the time of year, a visit to the goat village Les Lindarets is great fun. In the summer, the village is overrun by goats, which wander the streets and paths. If you are cycling, be sure to give way! In the winter, it’s a popular stop-off for skiers, with several good restaurants.
Go on an adventure: There’s plenty to keep the children occupied at the Indiana’ventures park in Morzine. In summer you can try canyoning, via ferrata, laser shooting, tree-top trails or paragliding, while in winter, activities include sledging, snowshoe walking or snow scooter tours! Prices vary according to the activity. Check the website for more details.
Visit a farm: Many of the mountain farms around Les Gets welcome visitors to meet the animals and taste the local produce. At La Ferme de Caroline you can meet the cows and goats, join in with the milking and, from 4-7pm, taste the delicious farm produce. You can even stop for an evening meal, designed around the farm produce. Check the website for dates and opening times.
If you love good food, you won't be disappointed with what's on offer in Les Gets, with a variety of bars and restaurants to discover. Here is just a taste of places to discover.
O Kariboo (67 Rue du Vieux Village, +33 9 82 36 68 31) Burgers are the specialty at this small family no-frills restaurant, and they also do great French and Creole food at a reasonable price. Vegetarian options are available. There are only 24 seats, so booking is advised.
La R’mize (160 Rue du Vieux Village, +33 4 50 79 75 57) This popular French restaurant prides itself on using local produce. Fixed menus start at €23 for the Savoyard menu to €39.90 for the Gourmet menu. There’s also a three-course menu of the day for €14, from Wednesday to Friday lunchtime, and local specialities such as fondue, raclette and tartiflette are available. Open Wednesday to Sunday lunchtime. Vegetarian options are available. Booking recommended.
Restaurant Le QG (328 Route du Gibannaz, +33 4 50 79 86 65) This restaurant on the slopes at the top of the Boule de Gomme teleski offers French and European food with vegetarian options. It’s a popular lunch stop-off with skiers heading back to Les Gets, and on a sunny day the terrace is the perfect place to soak up some rays. Try the tartiflette, the salads and the desserts! Booking is recommended, especially if you want one of the popular sofas!
Yama (+33 45 03 44 125) Enjoy fresh sushi takeaway in Taninges. Run by a Japanese lady who speaks both English and French, it’s well worth a visit if you fancy something different to French menus.
La Pela Named after a traditional mountain dish, this is a lovely location for excellent local food in a very traditional French setting. It’s worth booking in advance as it is very popular.
L’Outa: A great choice for fine dining for adults, L’Outa is a bit pricier but very good. Here you’ll find something a bit different on the menu such as prawns or risotto, rather than the traditional cheese and meats of the Alps.
Le Chasse Montagne: Enjoy stunning views and a good, varied menu at this popular mountain restaurant.
Vaffeau (+33 (0)45079094): If you’re holidaying with kids, Vaffeau offers a great value kids menu, with excellent quality food. Perfectly placed for a day skiing over to Morzine as it’s on the way.
If you’re after a little retail therapy while you’re holidaying in the French Alps, there’s plenty of choice between Les Gets and nearby Morzine. In Les Gets, you’ll find a couple of small supermarkets — a Sherpa and a Carrefour — as well as a butcher, a great choice of boulangeries for your daily bread, plus the all-important chocolate shop.
Don’t miss the local market in Les Gets on Thursday mornings. Here, you’ll find a good choice of cheeses and charcuterie plus local crafts on sale. Next to the Sherpa supermarket, you’ll also find a crèmerie (a dairy), which sells delicious cheese, fresh milk and cream. They also have a restaurant below the shop which does amazing fondues.
Elsewhere in town, you’ll find a pottery shop, gift shops, ski rental shops and a Maison de la Presse (newsagents) for books, magazines, toys and more. If you need a little more from your shopping day, head to Morzine where you’ll find a whole host of shops to explore.